📖 Meaning
This idiom means to combine law with authority, using one's position of power to ensure the enforcement of laws. It reflects the Legalist philosophy that effective governance requires both sound laws and the power to uphold them. Without either, order cannot be maintained.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from 'Han Feizi' (《韩非子·难势》), a work by Han Fei, a prominent Legalist philosopher of the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). In this text, Han Fei argues that a ruler who upholds the law while firmly holding a position of power will achieve order, while one who abandons the law and discards their authority will invite chaos. The original passage states: '抱法处势则治，背法去势则乱' — those who embrace the law and occupy a position of power govern well; those who turn from the law and cast aside their power fall into disorder.
💡 Example Usage
为政者须抱法处势，使法令得以推行。
Those who govern must embrace the law and hold firm to their authority so that decrees can be properly enforced.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 抱法处势
- Pinyin: bào fǎ chǔ shì
- Literal Translation: embrace, law, occupy, power
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4